NC public schools showed rise in reported crimes, dropouts
RALEIGH -- School crimes and the dropout rate both increased in North Carolina public schools in the academic year that ended in May.
The state school board on Thursday discussed the annual report on school crime, discipline and dropouts. Board members wanted to know the reasons for the increases, but got no clear answers.
Reported acts of school crime increased by 2 percent to 10,360. More than half the cases involved possession of drugs or alcohol. Dangerous or violent offenses account for 2 percent of reported school crimes.
Schools are required to report if any of 16 offenses occur on campus or school property.
North Carolina high schools reported 11,190 dropouts in 2014-15, an 8 percent increase. The number of dropouts was half the total of a decade ago.
